February came roaring in like a lion...

We welcomed the month of February by traveling down south to celebrate a wedding and a baby shower! We flew out Friday morning and flew back Sunday afternoon. It was a very quick trip.

Chris’ sister got married on the 1^st and we traveled to Asheville, North Carolina to witness their beautiful nuptials. It was a surprisingly warm day and thankfully our planes were on schedule and arrived on time.  (The pictures are sure to be beautiful!! Can't wait to see them.)

We then traveled back to my parent’s house to celebrate with my sister and brother in love at my niece's baby shower on Sunday afternoon. It was such a special time and we loved getting to spend time with family.  

Best Friends since High School

My mom did such a great job decorating.

SNOW!

My least favorite part of the snow. Icy sidewalks.

Meanwhile the day after we arrived back in Brooklyn we got around 5 inches of snow. This has been a weekly occurrence for us since December and I’ve never seen this much snow in my life.  Already this is the 2^nd snowiest February for New York City. My family lived in Boston in 1999, but even then I don’t remember such a constant barrage of snow.  It’s like an unwelcomed visitor who refuses to leave.

At least once a week!! Ugh.

Our grocery store's parking lot. 

On the 8th,  I hosted a special group of 11 women from my church at our apartment for a ladies’ brunch. Thankfully snow didn't cancel it. It was a great morning of listening to a incredible message from our pastor’s wife. She was recently diagnosed with leukemia and listening to her speak –it was just clearly evident that this is someone who is walking with  and loves the Lord. She is such a gift to us! I love our church and the friendships I’ve made bring me so much joy.  I’m so thankful for a place Chris and I can worship together on Sunday mornings and the godly Christian couples we have befriended that encourage us in our marriage.

Our first time having a group over. I love having guests! 

Do you get the reference? #sweethomealabama

We celebrated Valentine’s Day together with a special dinner on Friday night that I cooked. Chris offered to take me out, but I wanted to cook for him. I gladly took a rain check.  (I’m glad we made the plan to eat at home because we ended up getting several more inches of snow that evening. )

We exchanged cards and gifts. Tolberones for Chris, flowers for me. I made him (and really us) a 2013 yearbook of our memories from last year.  He got me a gift card to a local spa. We also ate some delicious chocolate chip ice cream cookie cake, which is the same dessert I made for Chris the very first time he came over to my house for dinner.

The goal is to do one each year! 2014 will have lots of pages too!

Our beautiful place setting.

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT FEBRUARY MIGHT SLOW DOWN A LITTLE…

On February 16^th I was awoken by a text message from my sister saying she was at the hospital and that Emery might come early than expected. She was due March 28^th.   I was scared and immediately called my mom. My mom was packing a suitcase and about to make the 4 hour drive to Charlotte. She just felt like she needed to go be with my sister. “Mother’s intuition” like I’ve never seen.

The next morning, I get another phone call saying labor had begun and later that night Emery Rose was born! 

It was hard not being at the hospital when my niece was born. Both my parents, grandparents, and brother were in the waiting room. I felt sad that I was missing this family event. Anyone who lives far away (flight distance) from their family knows what this feels like. But thankfully, I get to fly down and visit my family next week. Looking forward to getting to meet my niece for the first time! (Surely you know more pictures will come!)